Eric West stepped up the hunt for a maiden Bermuda Open title at Port Royal yesterday.The former Port Royal head pro fired an even par 71, that included three birdies and three bogeys, to open up a two-shot lead over the rest of the field at the halfway stage of the 72-hole event.“I think I played pretty well,” said West, who is three-over-par 145 for the tournament after 36 holes. “I’m just sort of playing to my game plan; just trying to hit down the fairway and then knock on the green because there’s not a whole lot more you can do, especially on the back nine which is really windy.“The course is in good shape and is playing fair. The pin placements have also been fair and the committee has done a good job.”West started the second round one shot off the lead after carding a three-over-par 74 on the first day.He was three-under-par for the round after seven holes before he lost momentum with back-to-back bogeys at the par three eighth and par four ninth holes.West regained his footing on the back nine where he made par at seven consecutive holes before dropping a shot at the par five, 17th to move back to even par where he remained at the end of the round.Overseas pro Eddie Kirby (147) shot yesterday’s lowest round of one under par 70 that included five birdies and four bogeys to grab a share of second place with Canadian Claude Grenier. He was two over for the round after nine holes but struck form with the putter coming in.“I hit the ball pretty well but struggled a bit in the middle of the round,” said Kirby, who has finished runner up at the Bermuda Open on multiple occasions. “I had three, three putts in a row on holes eight, nine and ten which was very difficult to swallow.“Fortunately I made a nice 15 foot birdie on 11 and that kind of calmed me down a bit and then I made a beautiful shot on 13 to about three feet (of the pin) and then hit two great shots on 15 and started to feel a little bit better with the putter. I also made a nice birdie on 18 so I’m just happy to get back in the tournament.”First round leader Ian Doig (148) slipped to fourth after carding a four-over-par 75. The Canadian was at even par for the round at the turn before blowing up on the back nine where he made four bogeys, including three straight at holes 14, 15 and 16.Defending Bermuda Open champ Daniel Augustus (156) found the going tough for the second straight day after entering the clubhouse with an eight-over-par 79 that left him tied for 16th. Augustus’ round included a birdie, three bogeys, a triple bogey at the par five second hole and double bogeys at the fourth and 12th holes.Chaka DeSilva (152), son of former St George’s Cricket Club president Louis (Red) DeSilva, currently leads the local pros. The Mid Ocean head pro carded a respectable four over par 75 that left him tied for seventh, seven shots off the lead pace.Local Scott Barnett (163) still leads the amateur field.The Port Royal member shot a 13-over-par 84 yesterday to cling to a five-shot lead over nearest rivals Ross Ballantyne (168) and Neil Higgins (169) with 36 holes left to play.Ballantyne’s eight-over-par 79 was the lowest among the amateurs yesterday.Due to forecast of inclement weather for tomorrow the third and fourth rounds will be played today, with the first threesome scheduled to tee off at 8am.